Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to retrieve her seized assets from their buyers.
In an amended application filed by her lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), before Justice Inyang Ekwo, Alison-Madueke requested the court to set aside the EFCC’s public notice, which facilitated the auction of her properties.
She argued that the auction violated statutory provisions, including the EFCC Act of 2004 and the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Act of 2022. She also claimed it breached her right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The former minister sought an order restraining the EFCC from further disposing of her properties and requested the court to vacate the forfeiture orders issued against her assets, which she argued were granted without jurisdiction and in violation of her proprietary rights. Additionally, she applied for an extension of time to challenge the EFCC’s actions.
The EFCC had announced the sale of her assets between January 9 and January 13, 2023, prompting Alison-Madueke to file legal action. In a motion filed on January 6, 2023, she sought an extension of time to set aside the auction notice and halt the sale.
However, the EFCC, in a counter-affidavit filed on March 14, urged the court to dismiss her suit. Litigation officer Oyakhilome Ekienabor argued that extensive investigations into the former minister’s tenure led to criminal proceedings against her in multiple courts. He cited final forfeiture orders issued on July 9, 2019, and September 10, 2019, asserting that the asset sales were lawful and did not infringe upon her rights.
Ekienabor further noted that the court had invited interested parties to contest the forfeiture before final orders were issued. He added that Alison-Madueke was represented in at least one of the proceedings but failed to prevent the forfeiture.
On February 17, Justice Ekwo granted Alison-Madueke’s request to amend her suit. At the resumed hearing on Monday, her counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, requested an adjournment to respond to the EFCC’s counter-affidavit.
Justice Ekwo emphasized the need for an expedited hearing, given the case’s prolonged duration since 2023. The EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru, apologized for the delay and assured the court of readiness for the next session.
The judge adjourned the matter to March 27 for further hearing.
